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It's been a good year for the Keyser family. Jeremy Keyser, 7, started first grade at McMullen-Booth Elementary School, and he has a new puppy named Snowfie. His mom, Paula Keyser, has a new job as a family resource specialist for the Early Steps Program at All Children's Hospital.

The family is hoping things will look up even more Saturday when the Hydrocephalus Association Tampa Bay Affiliate plans to hold its fourth annual TEAM Hydrocephalus Walk at 10 a.m. at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive.

It all started when Jeremy was diagnosed as an infant with hydrocephalus, a chronic neurological condition that causes fluid to build up in the brain. As doctors treated their son, placing a shunt into his brain to drain the fluid, Paula Keyser yearned for a community.

"We wanted to find more support, more families struggling with the same issues,'' she said.

In the last seven years, her efforts have paid off. In 2006, the National Hydrocephalus Association chose Tampa Bay as the site for its first affiliate.

"When we first reached out to families, we had a very informal picnic," Keyser said. "We've come a long way. Last year, we made $20,000 for outreach programs.''

Registration for Saturday's walk will begin at 9 a.m. A silent auction, raffle and picnic will follow the event.

For information, call Paula Keyser at (727) 637-5585 or visit www.gothydro.org on the Web.

YMCA to take kids for Parents' Night Out

Kids between kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to a Parents' Night Out at the Greater Ridgecrest YMCA, 1801 119th St. N, Largo. From 6 p.m. to midnight, Friday, YMCA staff members will supervise swimming and lead the children in an assortment of activities. Dinner will be provided.

The cost is $15. Registration is required. Call 559-0500.

Citizen's Academy begins Sept. 22.

Want to learn more about city government? Largo is now accepting applications for the 2008 Citizens' Academy. The 10-week program offers weekly two-hour sessions (from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday nights from Sept. 22 to Dec. 1) that teach residents about the inner workings of city government.

Academy participants tour facilities, talk with city leaders and interact with city staff. To apply, call the City Clerk's office at 587-6710 or complete an online application on the city's Web site, www.largo.com. Applications are due by Sept. 12.

Consignment sale to feature kids' items

Another Time Around, a semi-annual kid's consignment event, will start its fall sale this week at the Largo Cultural Center.

The sale will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Items range from baby bottles to outdoor toys to kid's clothing. The Cultural Center is located at 105 Central Park Drive. For information, call 729-4033 or 559-8553.

Event to introduce temporary rec site

The city's Recreation Department is hosting an event to introduce residents to the new, temporary site for Southwest Recreation Complex fitness programs.

The site, nicknamed, Play Express, will house fitness equipment and offer classes like yoga, fencing and zumba until the Southwest complex reopens next May.

Patrons will get a chance to meet instructors, check out the new facility and get a 50 percent discount on September monthly fitness passes. The free event will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Barclay Square, 13819 Walsingham Road, Suite B/C.